Universal access port

ABSTRACT

A universal access port includes a specific size opening that is formed through a wall of a conditioning enclosure and located at a specific distance from a floor or mounting surface. The opening is preferably rectangular in shape, but other shapes may also be used. When not in use, the universal access port is covered with a sealing panel. Insertable devices may be efficiently inserted and removed from the universal access port. A perimeter of the insertable device is sized to be sealable inserted into the universal access port. Each insertable device preferably seals with an exterior and interior wall of the conditioning enclosure. Some insertable devices include fixturing devices, windows, manual manipulation devices, junction devices, hinged access doors, wire access devices, temperature modifying devices or air circulation devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/310,358, filed Dec. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,340.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to conditioning enclosures andmore specifically to a universal access port for conditioningenclosures, which is structured to receive numerous insertable devices.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

There are several conditioning enclosures on the market, which disclosean opening created in a side thereof. A conditioning enclosure isdefined as an oven, freezer, incubator, burn-in chamber, environmentaltest chamber, shaker, or any other device that stresses, modifies, orconditions an item inserted therein. U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,726 to Lesleyet al. discloses a thermal stress screening system. An exposure chamberis connected to a cabinet with a pair of insulated delivery hoses. U.S.Pat. No. 4,949,031 to Szasz et al. discloses an environmental stressscreening apparatus for electronic products, where a product carrierpallet is inserted into an opening formed in an environmental testchamber. U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,136 to Hartley et al. discloses atemperature cycling test chambers. A portion of the wall is rotatablebetween two different test chambers.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a universalaccess port formed in a side of a conditioning enclosure, which has aspecific size and shape to receive windows, wire access devices,bulkhead connectors, manual manipulation devices, doors, junction boxes,shelves, racks, drawers, blowers, a slave test chamber, and otherinsertable devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a universal access port for conditioningenclosures, which receives standard sized insertable devices, thusincreasing the versatility of one or more conditioning enclosures. Atleast one universal access port allows a first conditioning enclosure tohave expanded capacity by connecting additional conditioning enclosuresto the first conditioning enclosure to retain the additional parts fortesting. The additional conditioning enclosures would be connected witha junction device inserted into the universal access ports of eachconditioning enclosure.

The additional conditioning enclosures are used as auxiliary units andtheir functionality need not be the same as the first conditioningenclosure. For example, the capacity for performing some type oftemperature testing is increased without the cost of additionalconditioning enclosures having the same function as the firstconditioning enclosure. The universal access port also provides modularassembly of a group of conditioning units each having differentfunctions. The function of each different conditioning unit may beactivated when appropriate.

Each universal access port includes a specific size opening that isformed through a wall of a conditioning enclosure and located at aspecific distance from a floor or mounting surface of the conditioningenclosure. The opening preferably has a rectangular shape, but othershapes may also be used. When not in use, the universal access port iscovered with a sealing panel. Insertable devices maybe efficientlyinserted and removed from the universal access port, including thesealing panel. A perimeter of an insertable device is sized to besealably inserted into the universal access port. Each insertable devicepreferably seals with an exterior and an interior wall of theconditioning enclosure. Some insertable devices include fixture devices,windows, manual manipulation devices, junction devices, hinged accessdoors, wire access devices, hydraulic connection devices, temperaturemodifying devices, air circulation devices, gas insertion devices,blower devices, or any other appropriate insertable device.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide atleast one universal access port in a conditioning enclosure, eachuniversal access port has a specific opening size located a specifieddistance from a floor or mounting surface of the conditioning enclosure.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide aplurality of insertable devices that are sized to be inserted into auniversal access port formed in a conditioning enclosure.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conditioning enclosure with auniversal access port in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing panel for insertion into auniversal access port of a conditioning enclosure in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a sealing panel attached to auniversal access port of a conditioning enclosure in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drawer device for insertion into auniversal access port of a conditioning enclosure in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wire access device for insertion intoa universal access port of a conditioning enclosure in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is an interior perspective view of a blower device for insertioninto a universal access port of a conditioning enclosure in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 6A is an exterior perspective view of a blower device for insertioninto a universal access port of a conditioning enclosure in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a junction device for insertion intouniversal access ports of two environmental test chambers in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a first conditioning enclosure connected to aroll-up, walk-in conditioning chamber with a junction device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of three conditioning enclosures connectedtogether with two junction devices in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a damper device for insertion into auniversal access port of one conditioning enclosure and mating with twodampers on another conditioning enclosure in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conditioning enclosure with twodampers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a perspective view of a conditioning enclosure 100 with auniversal access port 10. With reference to FIG. 3, the universal accessport 10 preferably includes an opening 12 of a specific width “W” andheight “H” formed through a wall 102 of the conditioning enclosure 100.The universal access port 10 is disclosed as having a rectangular shape,but other shapes may also be used. Preferably, an interior peripheralflange 14 extends from an interior wall 102. The interior peripheralflange 14 surrounds the perimeter of the opening 12. A perimeter sealinggasket 16 is attached to the interior peripheral flange 14. Preferably,a perimeter sealing ridge 20 extends from a peripheral wall 18 of theopening 12. A bottom of the opening 12 is located at a height “H2” froma floor or mounting surface 104 of the conditioning enclosure 100.

With reference to FIG. 2, when not in use, the universal access port 10is covered with a sealing panel 22. The sealing panel 22 preferablyincludes a mounting plate 24, an insulated insert 26, a panel perimetersealing ridge 28, and a panel perimeter sealing gasket 30. A pluralityof mounting holes 32 are formed near the perimeter of the mounting plate24. A plurality of fasteners 34 are inserted through the plurality ofmounting holes 32 to retain the sealing panel 22 in the universal accessport 10. The insulated insert 26 extends from form a back of themounting plate 24. The insulated insert 26 preferably contains anequivalent amount of insulation 36 found in the walls 102 of theconditioning enclosure 100. The panel perimeter sealing ridge 28 isattached to a perimeter of the insulated insert 26. The panel perimetersealing ridge 28 seals against the perimeter sealing gasket 16 and theperimeter sealing ridge 20 seals against the panel perimeter sealinggasket 30. One method of sealing the sealing panel 22 (and otherinsertable devices) to the universal access port 10 is disclosed;however other methods of sealing may also be used.

FIGS. 4-7 disclose sealing panels which have been modified to forminsertable devices. FIG. 4 discloses a drawer device 38. A plurality ofdrawers 40 are slidably retained in the drawer device 38. The pluralityof drawers 40 are capable of holding a plurality of small parts forenvironmental testing. The plurality of parts are placed in each drawer40. A back of the drawer will be exposed to an inside atmosphere of anenvironmental chamber. The plurality of small parts are removed afterthe environmental testing has been performed. The drawer device 38includes all of the sealing and attachment features of the sealing panel22.

FIG. 5 discloses a wire device 42. A plurality of through passages 44are formed through the wire device 42. Each through passage 44 is sizedto firmly receive a single sealing insert 46. Each sealing insert 46 ispreferably fabricated from foam, but other materials may also be used.Each sealing insert 46 is capable of sealing around wires or other linesthat need to be run through the wall 102 of the conditioning enclosure100. A round through passage 44 is disclosed, but the through passagemay also have other shapes. The wire device 42 includes all of thesealing and attachment features of the sealing panel 22.

FIGS. 6 and 6 a disclose a blower device 48. The blower device 48includes—an air blower 50, an input port 51, an output port 53, and aninput duct 55. The air blower 50 includes a motor 57 and an air impeller59. An input duct (not shown) is preferably connected between a sourceof conditioned air and the input port 51. An output duct (not shown) ispreferably connected between the source of conditioned air and theoutput port 53. The motor 57 turns a fan inside the air impeller 59 todraw air from the input port 51 through the input duct 55 to propelled,conditioned air substantially perpendicular to the output port 53. Theblower device 48 includes all of the sealing and attachment features ofthe sealing panel 22.

FIG. 7 discloses a junction device 52. The junction port device 52includes a mounting plate 54, a first insulated insert 56, a secondinsulated insert 58, a first panel perimeter sealing ridge 60, a secondperimeter panel sealing ridge 62, a first panel perimeter sealing gasket64, and a second panel perimeter sealing ridge 66. The first insulatedinsert 56 extends from a first side of the mounting plate 54 and thesecond insulated insert 58 extends from a second side of the mountingplate 54. The first panel perimeter sealing ridge 60 is attached to aperimeter of the first insulated insert 56 and the second panelperimeter sealing ridge 62 is attached to a perimeter of the secondinsulated insert 58. The first panel perimeter sealing gasket 64 isattached to the first side of the mounting plate 54 and the second panelperimeter sealing gasket 66 is attached to the second side of themounting plate 54. A through passage 68 is formed through the firstinsulated insert 56, the mounting plate 54 and the second insulatedinsert 58.

With reference to FIG. 8, the junction device 52 is used to connect afirst conditioning enclosure 106 to a roll-up, walk-in conditioningenclosure 108. The first insulated insert 56 of the junction device 52is inserted into a universal access port of the first conditioningenclosure 106 and a second insulated insert 58 of the junction device 52is inserted into a universal access port of the roll-up, walk-inconditioning enclosure 108. The conditioning enclosures are pushedtogether to retain the junction device 52.

With reference to FIG. 9, three conditioning enclosures are connected inseries with two junction devices. The first conditioning enclosure 106is connected to one side of a second conditioning enclosure 110 with afirst junction device 105 and a third conditioning enclosure 112 isconnected to the other side of the second conditioning enclosure 110with a junction device 107. The second conditioning enclosure 110includes at least two universal access ports.

FIG. 10 discloses a damper device 70. The damper device 70 includes afirst damper through passage 72, a second damper through passage 74, anda sealing gasket 76. A first passage opening 78 is formed through thesealing gasket 76 to provide access to the first damper through passage72. A second passage opening 80 is formed through the sealing gasket 76to provide access to the first damper through passage 74. The damperdevice 70 includes all of the sealing and attachment features of thesealing panel 22. With reference to FIG. 11, a conditioning enclosure114 is disclosed with a first damper 116 and a second damper 118disposed on a side thereof. The damper device 70 is attached to theuniversal access port of a first conditioning enclosure (not shown). Theconditioning enclosure 118 will be pushed against the sealing gasket 76,such that the first passage opening 78 is aligned with the first damper116 and the second passage opening 80 is aligned with the second damper118.

Several types of insertable devices are disclosed, but the inventionshould include other types of insertable devices, which already exist ormay be created in the future.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A modular environmental stress-test system comprising: anenvironmental stress chamber formed by an insulated wall and beingstructured for environmentally stressing objects placed therein; anopening formed in the insulated wall and extending between interior andexterior surfaces thereof, the opening having a specific shape and size,such that the opening is adapted to receive a plurality ofinterchangeable closure devices; and a plurality of interchangeableclosure devices each adapted for a chamber-access function,chamber-interface function, chamber-manipulation function, orchamber-observation function, each interchangeable closure device havinga flange sealingly engageable with the exterior surface of the wallaround a perimeter of the opening.
 2. The modular environmentalstress-test system of claim 1 including among the interchangeableclosure devices at least one closure device serving a chamber accessfunction, each selected from among the group including a sealing panel,a closure panel with drawer assembly, a closure panel with shelfassembly, a closure panel with rack assembly, a closure panel withwire-access device and a closure panel with damper assembly.
 3. Themodular environmental stress-test system of claim 1 including among theinterchangeable closure devices at least one closure device serving achamber-interface function, each selected from among the group includinga junction device and a closure panel with bulkhead assembly.
 4. Themodular environmental stress-test system of claim 1 including among theinterchangeable closure devices at least one closure device serving achamber-manipulation function, each selected from among the groupincluding a closure panel with temperature-modifying device, a closurepanel with manual-manipulation device, a closure panel withhydraulic-connection device, a closure panel with air-circulationdevice, a closure panel with gas-insertion device and a closure panelwith blower assembly.
 5. The modular environmental stress-test system ofclaim 4 wherein the closure panel with blower assembly includes a blowermounted to an inside wall of such closure panel, such blower adapted formoving air into and out of the environmental stress chamber, such flowincluding inflow of conditioned air.
 6. The modular environmentalstress-test system of claim 1 including among the interchangeableclosure devices at least one closure device serving achamber-observation function, including at least one which is a closurepanel with a window.
 7. The modular environmental stress-test system ofclaim 1 including among the interchangeable closure devices at least twoclosure devices each serving a different one of a a chamber-accessfunction, chamber-interface function, chamber-manipulation function, orchamber-observation function.
 8. The modular environmental stress-testsystem of claim 1 wherein the flange of each interchangeable closuredevice has a series of through holes and the wall has a correspondingseries of receptacles in registration with the through holes when theinterchangeable closure device is inserted into the opening, the systemfurther comprising a plurality of removable fasteners adapted forsecuring the interchangeable closure device against the wall by joinderto respective fasteners of the receptacles via corresponding fastenersof the through holes.
 9. The modular environmental stress-test system ofclaim 1 wherein the interchangeable closure devices each comprise afirst perimeter sealing gasket disposed on a surface of the flange andadapted for sealingly abutting the exterior surface of the wall aroundthe perimeter of the opening when the insertable device is inserted intothe opening.
 10. The modular environmental stress-test system of claim 1wherein the wall comprises an interior flange formed as a portion of theinterior surface around a periphery of the opening, the system furthercomprising a second perimeter sealing gasket disposed on an outwardlyfacing portion of the interior flange and adapted for sealingly abuttingone of the plurality of interchangeable closure devices when suchinterchangeable closure device is inserted into the opening.